A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by General Engineer / Khaled Eleiwa chairman of the Alexandria Passenger Transportation Authority and AD Huang GM of BYD Middle East & Africa Auto Sales Division.

It is the first time SkyRail is being considered in the African continent.

The proposed project will be planned for the construction of an 80-mile track. The potential collaboration comes four years after Alexandria local authorities began exploring options to relieve their city of chronic traffic jams.

An MOU was signed by General Engineer / Khaled Eleiwa chairman of the Alexandria Passenger Transportation Authority and AD Huang GM of BYD Middle East & Africa Auto Sales Division. Photo: BYD

“BYD’s SkyRail is a clean, affordable and safe way for people to commute. It also utilizes limited road space in towns and cities while minimizing disruption to local communities,” said AD Huang.

BYD’s monorail system is substantially cost saving and quicker to construct compared to a subway, requiring only a fifth of the cost and one third of the construction time, according to a company release. BYD has conducted feasibility studies in more than 100 cities worldwide including the city of Iloilo in the Philippines, and has entered into strategic partnerships with over 10 cities in China.

SkyRail is currently operating in Yinchuan, an industrial city in China’s northwest. Construction of BYD monorail lines are also expected to begin in 20 cities in 2018.

The 9.3-mile extension, coined the Blue Line Extension (BLE) during construction, continues the alignment north from the previous terminus stop at 7th Street Station and now culminates at UNC Charlotte’s main campus.